Cops for Kids held Saturday

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Pictured, from left, are Austin Spurlin, Hunter O'Darr, Brianna Kelley,and Mary O'Darr -- a few of the children who participated in Cops for Kids this year. They are pictured with their bags of gifts selected at Walmart and their bean bag chairs from Comfort Research.

By Ivory Riner

Staff Writer

The Lewisburg Police Department hosted their annual Cops for Kids program Saturday. The program has been around since the '80s or '90s, and Capt. Rebekah Mitchell has been in charge for about eight years.

This year, 120 students were chosen from Westhills, Marshall Elementary, and Oak Grove to participate in a day filled with shopping and eating. First, the children were picked up from their schools and taken to the old Connelly School building where they were enjoyed a breakfast provided by the First Assembly of God.

After eating, they were taken to the Walmart in Lewisburg to spend $150 each, tax free. Volunteers were waiting at Walmart to help the children with their purchases. Each child was also given a Christmas stocking from the Lewisburg Rotary Club and a bean bag chair from Comfort Research. Upon returning from shopping, the children were given lunch, also provided by First Assembly of God, and were then picked up by their parents.

The UAW Retirees of Spring Hill donated $500 which was used to buy 29 coats to be handed out to the children and the Salvation Army allowed them to use the building in the Connelly School. Mitchell hosted a Cops for Kids Luncheon and Auction in October. Between individual donors and the fundraiser, they were able to raise about $16,000 that went towards paying for Saturday.